Officials address overdoses

Thursday

Jul 17, 2014 at 4:00 PM

By Jessica Saccojsacco@wickedlocal.com

Police and fire have responded to numerous overdoses in the last several weeks, including one that resulted in death.As drug abuse continues to be a problem in the city and surrounding communities, Melrose officials remain committed to addressing the issue.During the week of June 30 to July 6, first responders received calls regarding overdoses at Converse Lane, in the parking garage at the Melrose-Wakefield Hospital on Lebanon Street, the driveway of the Melrose Fire Department on Main Street, Lake Avenue and on Pleasant Street.A few weeks prior, on June 14, police and fire responded to Linden Road for a reported overdose. The man was treated and transported to the hospital, but later died.Lt. Mark DeCroteau said these overdoses were all from heroin or other opioids. In some cases, he added medical crews administered Narcan (overdose reversal medication).DeCroteau said the amount of overdoses that occurred between June 30 and July 6 is above average for a typical week in Melrose."We recognize the current opioid overdoses as a serious problem and as first responders, yes, we are concerned about it," he said. "Because our goal is the protection of people’s lives and to use our training and whatever resources become available, such as Naracan, to save lives."Addressing the issueLast week, DeCroteau — along with chiefs and other police representatives from around the region — attended a Mystic Valley Public Health Coalition meeting in Stoneham to share resources and strategies about first responders carrying and using Narcan.The Melrose Police Department is currently in the process of setting up training for police officers to be able to administer Narcan to residents, if needed. DeCroteau said training would likely occur within the next month."We’re going to get everyone trained as soon as possible because it’s a serious problem," he said.Community EffortsSeveral prevention efforts are already underway in Melrose to combat drug abuse. A kiosk for prescription drug drop off is located at the Police Department so residents can dispose of excess medication.Health officials are working with doctors in the area to educate them about not over prescribing to patients and Hallmark Health System has implemented the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP). This enables physicians to look up patient’s drug history to keep track of their prescriptions, if any other doctor is prescribing something and how often the person gets opioids."Prevention is key," said Ruth Clay, health director for Melrose, Wakefield and Reading. "But the fact is, there are a number of people who are using despite our prevention work. When you’re dealing with the issue, you want to deal with all the different parts."Melrose raised more than $8,000 on June 29 for Learn To Cope — a support group for parents and family members dealing with a loved one’s addiction to drugs, often heroin or other opioids.Clay said officials are in the process of establishing a Learn To Cope chapter for Melrose, which will be open to people in the city and surrounding communities.Training first responders on how to use Narcan will help current addicts, Clay continued, while Learn To Cope will provide a needed support for families and friends who know someone struggling with addiction.The state Department of Public Health’s Bureau of Substance Abuse Service awarded Melrose, along Medford, Malden, Stoneham, Wakefield and Reading (as a group) $100,000 per year for three years to reduce opioid abuse.Since receiving the money a year ago, officials surveyed the communities and collected data surrounding the issue. Clay said they are now in the strategic planning process where they’ll implement successful, evidence-based tactics aimed at reducing drug abuse."Our [substance abuse] coalition has been doing a lot of work," Clay said. "With this regional opioids grant, we’re going to do a lot more. It’s not a problem that has a single or simple solution."